Indian mystics predict elected role for royal baby

Britain's royal baby may be "born to rule" as third in line to the throne, but Indian mystics on Tuesday made the intriguing prediction that the new prince will one day stand for elected office.

Taking his date, time and place of birth -- 4:24 pm in London on Monday -- two fortune-tellers in Mumbai have separately charted a much more politically active destiny than that of recent British monarchs, whose job is largely ceremonial.

"Maximum by 2044 he may make politics a career and start contesting elections," said astrologer Raj Kumar Sharma, adding"I'm seeing very strong changes in the monarchy," he said.

The future king "may break some rules, he may be known for doing something that hasn't happened in the last 200 years", he added.

Another mystic and healer, Larra Shah, said he would run in an election for Prime Minister "and will probably win it".

"Being a king or prince will not matter to him," she said, explaining he would want to work for the good of the people.

"He will be very politically inclined," she said.

The prince will also improve British relations with other countries, especially Arab ones, she predicted.

Both fortune-tellers said the prince was born on a very lucky day -- a full moon Indian festival known as Guru Purnima, when Hindus and Buddhists thank their gurus and teachers in life.

Shah said the royal, influenced by the hot planet Mars, would be extremely intelligent, a multi-tasker, romantic and flirtatious.

"Physically he could be a little big and maybe on the plumper side at some point. He will love food and luxuries, not to mention women," she said.

Sharma predicted that the as-yet-unnamed prince would live a long life and marry early -- by the age of 26 -- and have three children.

Vedic astrology holds huge sway in Hindu-majority India, with major decisions -- from whom to wed or when to sign a key contract -- determined by a close reading of the heavens and a person's details of birth.

Many politicians also have personal astrologers and scrutinise their stars closely to determine auspicious days for both family and official functions or even results at the ballot box.

Another well-known Indian astrologer Bejan Daruwalla predicted that the prince would be an "understanding" king.

"At his age of 22 he will be having a very good time," he added, without elaborating.